Tunnel Restoration Timeline

John D Gray Company begins construction of the last link of the railroad, a 1,477

foot-long tunnel through Chetoogeta Mountain

October 31, 1849

The first heading is driven through to a sixteenth of an inch variance. Chief Engineer

William L Mitchell leads a procession of workers, clergymen, musicians, ladies and

gentlemen on the first passage. The celebration continues through the night

The first train of the Western & Atlantic Railroad passes through the tunnel. The railroad is complete, and a new town called Atlanta "formerly Terminus" begins to grow as a major transportation hub

Union spy, James Andrews, and his raiders steal the "General" and pass through the

tunnel in "The Great Locomotivre Chase." Their attempt to destroy is foiled as they

Campaign. He spends several days headquartered in the nearby Clisby Austin House

Heavy rail traffic increases in volume and the larger train cars become stuck in the

tunnel. Train engineers nearly die when their locomotive is lodged in the tunnel and

A new, larger parallel tunnel is completed and train traffic is re-routed to what is

The next 70 years

The abandoned tunnel becomes well known as a "hobo" shelter during the depression. The tunnel sees another envasion, this time groundwater and kudzu combined with years of neglect nearly destroy the historic structure

The Tunnel Hill Historical Foundation intercedes as the entrance to the tunnel is

nearly nearly covered by railraod debris. The old tunnel is deeded to the City of

Tunnel Hill.

rehibilitaition, presrvation and conservation of the structure to a tourist attraction.

October 31, 1999

delicate job of structural rehibilitation. ARCADIS and the Georgia State Historic





	Home > History > Railroad History > Restoration Timeline Chetoogeta Mountain Railroad Tunnel Restoration Timeline (Restoration completed May 9, 2000)

	December 21, 1836 Georgia Legislature passes a bill to build a railroad to connect the Port of Agusta to the Tennessee River valley. This is the first railraod across the Appalachian Mountains and open trade from the Atlantic Ocean to the upper midwest July 15, 1848 John D Gray Company begins construction of the last link of the railroad, a 1,477 foot-long tunnel through Chetoogeta Mountain October 31, 1849 The first heading is driven through to a sixteenth of an inch variance. Chief Engineer William L Mitchell leads a procession of workers, clergymen, musicians, ladies and gentlemen on the first passage. The celebration continues through the night May 9, 1850 The first train of the Western & Atlantic Railroad passes through the tunnel. The railroad is complete, and a new town called Atlanta "formerly Terminus" begins to grow as a major transportation hub April 12, 1862 Union spy, James Andrews, and his raiders steal the "General" and pass through the tunnel in "The Great Locomotivre Chase." Their attempt to destroy is foiled as they are persued by Willian A Fuller in the "Texas" May 7, 1864 Union General William T Sherman captures the tunnel at the onset of his Atlanta Campaign. He spends several days headquartered in the nearby Clisby Austin House Early 1900's Heavy rail traffic increases in volume and the larger train cars become stuck in the tunnel. Train engineers nearly die when their locomotive is lodged in the tunnel and escape when another train rams them through. The gouge marks still exist today. 12/17/1928 A new, larger parallel tunnel is completed and train traffic is re-routed to what is today's CSX Railroad main line. The old tunnel ends its 78 years of service. The next 70 years The abandoned tunnel becomes well known as a "hobo" shelter during the depression. The tunnel sees another envasion, this time groundwater and kudzu combined with years of neglect nearly destroy the historic structure April 1992 The Tunnel Hill Historical Foundation intercedes as the entrance to the tunnel is nearly nearly covered by railraod debris. The old tunnel is deeded to the City of Tunnel Hill. Fall 1998 Whitfield County Board of Commissioners recieves a Transportation Enhancement Activities Grant and hires ARCADIS Geraghty & Miller (ARCADIS) to engineer the rehibilitaition, presrvation and conservation of the structure to a tourist attraction. October 31, 1999 150 years after the first heading, Edwin Brady Construction Company begins the delicate job of structural rehibilitation. ARCADIS and the Georgia State Historic Preservation Division closely monitor and approve every procedure. May 9, 2000 The tunnel opens to the public for the 150-year anniversary of the first passage. Currently Construction is under way for Phase II, which includes pathways, interpretive displays, and a multi-purpose visitor and community center.
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